Leatherman has announced that a new Wave “Alpha” multi-tool will be launching soon, and they provided a teaser image that gives us a detailed first look.
From the image, the Leatherman Wave Alpha tool appears to be an updated Wave, with some enhancements to the design.
Here’s what we can see about the new Leatherman Alpha:
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CPM MagnaCut knife blade steel
Thumb stud (replaces Wave finger loop)
Large scissors (replaces Wave serrated blade)
Awl (replaces Wave small scissors)
Textured handles
Here are the two side by size – the Wave+ on the left and new Leatherman Alpha on the right.
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A lot of the core tools remain, such as the pliers, replaceable blade cutters, wood-cutting saw, file, bit screwdrivers, medium screwdriver, and can opener.
The knife blade also has a different tip shape – it looks like a reverse Tanto blade vs the drop point of the regular Wave.
It seems that the new Leatherman Wave Alpha could be a replacement for the Charge-series multi-tools. Leatherman no longer features the Charge on their website, implying that the entire line has been discontinued.
Thus, I don’t think it’s fair to assume that the Wave Alpha will be replacing the existing Wave tools. I’m guessing that Leatherman intends for the new Alpha tool to be a more premium tool, taking the place of the Charge tools.
The Wave Plus is priced at $120 at the time of this posting. Given the upgrades and changes put into the Wave Alpha, I think it’s fair to expect it to sell at a higher price point.
Launch Date: October 14, 2025
Price: TBA
Jason T.
Instead of continually increasing the price of their multitools with higher end materials, Leatherman should focus more on keeping the price of their tools more affordable. I have never had a need for a supersteel knife blade on a multitool!
A feature that should have been on multitools a long time ago is the ability to swap out tool layers. Gerbers had that ability 25 years ago, but they never offered the individual tools to swap in and out. At the time they did offer though the ability to custom order a multitool with the tool layers you wanted. There was limited customization, but it was an option. I ordered one and it is still my favorite multitool.
Tim B.
That’s actually one of the reasons I like the SOG multi-tools… you have a certain amount of swap-ability. First discovered this many years back when I got a Paladin Powerplay (which I discovered was OEM’d by SOG). Was great, because while I liked a lot of the electrician-focused tools on the Powerplay, there were a couple tools I didn’t need (such as a punchdown), which I quickly swapped out.
Richard Laue
I have a Wave, since I bought it, the price has doubled
Berg
GOAT Tools and the Roxon Flex both offer fully modular quick swappable tools. I have a GOAT tool and I like it but I still carry my Leatherman Charge most of the time because the tool set is good enough for what I need and it just feels a lot more solid and high quality. If the Flex was available at the time I probably would have gotten that instead, it offers a lot more options for tools and a few different styles of frames to customize.
Richard Connor
Goat tools are crooks the beat me out of 140 dollars and I have still yet to get a reply from them I have sent them message after message with no reply I will stick with Leatherman because at least they will answer and they stand by their warranty
Bob G.
Right On ! That’s exactly what needs to happen but, I emailed Leatherman and shared that they need to make their Phillips head adapter fitting a standard 1/4” drive not a “ Proprietary Bit Holder” and they never got back to me. They don’t deserve our loyalty anymore they’ve become arrogant. I just bought 2-Bibury Multi-tools that come with a standard 1/4” drive adapter. Wake up Leatherman and give us what we want please 🙏.
Rob
I don’t want a 1/4 inch bit holder in my Leatherman. It’s a waste of limited space. The cheap and low end tools love having large tools to avoid copyrights or keep costs down. My Leatherman ARC runs circles around the knockoff Leathermans.
Ryan
Couldn’t agree with your comment more, Rob. Came here to say the same thing. I got my ARC about 6 months ago (having stepped up from the Wave+) and never looked back. Absolutely love the ARC and it shits on every other brand of multi-tool on the market, hands down!
RICHARD
I have owned many leathermans everyone failed. The bits are junk the plyers are good until they break. I don’t understand why they used magnacut? It’s biggest claim is corrosion resistance. Something that doesn’t matter in a multi tool. In fact if you actually use your tools corrosion is not a thing.
Definitely not something worth $100+.
For you Arc people in what way does a $220+ tool beat a $25 bibury? I know how to sharpen so edge retention doesn’t mean anything. Leatherman bits are soft and bend. So what is really $200 better. Marketing has made people crazy. Leatherman gives less yet cost more.
Why wouldn’t they use 14c28n and make a affordable tool. Greed and fanboys that don’t actually use tools they just collect. I see Leatherman gone in 5 to 8 years. So a 25 year warranty is void. Never used their warranty anyway to much a pain to mail and pray.
Richard Connor
Leatherman is dependable on replacements warranty and reputable I have never have them rob me so weather you think they deserve our loyalty or not is on you but goat tools definitely isn’t the answer I I sent my tool back and never received one dime back and can’t get them to reply and from what I hear they have ignored Many others on warranty issues it has been 4 months since my tool made it back to them and I still can’t get a reply so Leatherman will be all I buy the peace of mind of reliability is worth the extra price
Stebe
You want Americans employed right? You want Americans paid a decent wage right? Explain how EVERYTHING internationally has inflated 30%+ in the last 5 years and how leatherman is supposed to be immune to that global inflation?
Christopher
I think leatherman went away from there original fan base along time ago.
Tommy
This is the first Leatherman I’ve been excited for in forever. I will be first in line to get one. It’s the exact tool set I’ve been saying they need to do forever. I may have even emailed Leatherman a few years ago, I can’t remember for sure. Basically the exact tool set as a Surge, just with no serrated blade, which is mostly unnecessary anyways. And the price point being reasonable for an updated Wave, I’m totally down. Probably the first new Leatherman I’ll have bought in years!
GW
Lol… the serated blade is my most used.. GW Australia..
EBT
Stuart, just fyi, I received my free Armbar last Friday from Blade HQ along with a knife I wanted. No problems with order or items!
Funny, this Leatherman Wave model is less than the knife I ordered.
Stuart
We know that the Wave Plus is $120, we don’t know how much the Wave Alpha will be.
will
Im guessing it will be around $180-200, probably $200. The ARC at $250 they need to start filling in the gaps. Maybe make a bee MUT tool with magnamax. Nah it’ll be years before we see a magnamax in a knife let alone a multitool. I guess I dont understand why magnacut is such a premium. The steel isnt anything special,its just a balanced steel which is nice. Charging a premium like $250 multitudes and $300 knives is a joke and theyre just using the name to jack up prices.
Jared
All of the changes look like positives to me (well, except the price).
Magnacut is great. I don’t know that you “need” that per se, but I’m happy it’s not just another 420hc blade.
The thumb stud is interesting. I wonder if it will still be a rotate-out action or if this implies you can flick it out like you would a pocket knife?
Big scissors are welcome – a serrated blade is not. Good swap in my mind. I genuinely cannot remember a time when I needed a serrated blade. I realize people like them for rope and bread, but a sharp knife cuts rope just fine and… ok I guess if you’re cutting bread, this version will suck.
I also like having an awl. I use that in bushcraft-scenarios more than anything else, but it can also substitute for the times when you’re tempted to pry with your knife point.
Textured handles is a nice touch.
Scott L
I really like the look of this. The changes seem thoughtful, especially the textured grips. I like a lot of the colorways that Leatherman has been releasing, but I’d be concerned that it would be hard to find this if dropped outdoors versus something stainless or colorful. I tend to prefer a wide thumb hole over a stud on a blade.
Jag
Having the thumb stud on the arc is a game changer. It feels so smooth in the deployment. So that is a nice touch.
Yadda
Nice to see Leatherman updating or enhancing one of their most popular platforms. With the expired patent, updating the platform to make the Wave Alpha a premium buy kind of makes sense. Others go low, Leatherman goes high.
Mike S
I’d like to see two identical, non-serrated knives on a multitool. Would only have to sharpen them half as often.
Jared
I have to admit, my first thought was: “Isn’t that kinda like… carrying two knives? In that case I expect most people would choose to simply carry one and alternate if they genuinely preferred sharpening in pairs”.
…but then I thought: “wait a minute, many of my Swiss army knives have a pair of plain-edged blades!”
Those, of course, are two different sizes, but it’s kind of similar. I’ve heard of people using one for most tasks and keeping the other (usually the small blade) sharp for when they need it. I still can’t imagine two identical blades would be popular, but it almost exists. Sort of.
MM
Older pocket knives were often made to standard patterns and many of those had multiple blades.
There are many patterns with two blades. Some always have different blades, like Trappers, but some like Sunfish and Canoes might have the blades be identical. The Muskrat has two clip-point blades which are usually identical. Stockmans & Whittlers have 3 different blades; Congress have 4 or more with two of those usually being identical Sheepsfoots.
Stuart
If you’re using the knife blade that often, you might want to consider carrying a separate knife.
Dave Brill
Stuart I think you should have said if the blade gets used that much you should check out are knives and get one for backup. You could also make a replaceable blade for the tool never sharpen again just insert a new blade and you can offer different types of blades just a thought. Let me know if you’re looking for someone with a lot of ideas thanks and tell tim I said hi.
Stuart
Multi-tool knives tend to have compromises, even when featuring premium steel. If you want a knife with a replaceable blade, then consider carrying a separate knife.
Pat
That’s always been my approach, and why I suppose I’m in the minority that would prefer a serrated blade only on a multi tool.
Rob
I carry a Leatherman ARC, and the 6 in 1 Milwaukee fastback utility knife. Perfect combo IMO. There’s not much I can’t accomplish with those two. However, in my go bag I keep in my tractor I have the Icon bit kit, Gearwrench 1/4 drive socket set/ bits, hammer, Milwaukee demolition screw driver, adjustable wrench, and locking pliers.
Randy Smith
I like the look and find the Wave to be perfect for me. I bought the original Wave as soon as my outdoor shop got it in. Prior to that I carried the original Leatherman. I carry a Case (style changes often) knife, have carried one since the age of 7 or 8, Granddad gifted me my first. I have over 100 Case knives. Then when the clip style became popular I picked up a Benchmade 923. Like my Case it changes often. I always have a knife on me, Church gets a Case only, no multi or clip. Like a watch I feel naked without a knife.
Thank you for the preview.
Randy Smith
Agreed, I carry a Case pocket knife and a clip style knife. I never pull out my Wave for the knife. If it gets used it’s because I’m also in need of it’s other tools.
Tim
I agree with having two knife blades on my multi-tool. The idea of not having to sharpen them as often is interesting, but really I would like to have two so that one can be for normal work and one can be kept razor sharp. If truth be told, I would much rather sacrifice the file than the second blade. I’m not sure I remember more than one or two times. I’ve used a file in the past 30 years.
Yadda
The Muskrat style pocket knife has two of rhe same blade. Check it out.
frobo
To me this looks like it’s made for someone who wants most of the features of an Arc but doesn’t care about the Free technology. Depending on the price, it could make the Wave Alpha a compelling product.
Jag
The Free technology is such a smooth and fluid action when using the tools. I love the magnet style arc.
frobo
True; I have the Arc and I really like it. However, if I were doing it all over again, and had the choice of buying the Arc at $250 vs the Wave Alpha at, say, $180, I might very well opt for Wave. The magnetic function probably wouldn’t be worth an extra $70 to me. If they price the Alpha over $200, then the choice is more difficult.
blocky
This looks really good and might get me to set aside my Skeletool once in awhile.
I would hazard that blade shape to be more of a sheepsfoot than a tanto.
Thanks for the first glimpse.
blocky
Maybe a stylized drop-point. Seems like it would be pretty good for cutting curves in thin material, and stronger than the OG leatherman shape at the tip.
A W
I saw the word Tanto and came to the comments to see if anyone else had caught that. In my mind, a tanto blade is one where the knife has two distinct, relatively straight edges that intersect near the tip at an obtuse angle.
Stuart
Sorry! Looks like *reverse Tanto*. It’s not sheepsfoot, and I was thinking it could be Wharncliffe, but the back of the blade geometries closely resemble reverse Tanto. While internally debating all of this and then Googling some images, I hiccupped on the name.
A W
Thanks Stuart!
I just learned something new.
Blocky
Ah. Yeah, I see what you mean, googling Wharnecliff.
Geometry suggests, to me, the use of a slight downward angle when plunge-cutting, which is probably wise with a frame lock. I like the blade to have a bit of a belly like this magnacut.
Some of the straighter blades, like the wave+, can become concave from use over time. I gave my wave to my brother, but my older leatherman and micra both took on that concave wear pattern.
skfarmer
many old farmers carried a knife with 2 or more blades.
one was used for everyday work.
the other was kept razor sharp to cut loose clothing, a finger or worse.
if the emergency arose and one was entangled in some sort of machinery, you may be miles from home or the nearest person to help in an emergency. it was not uncommon for old timers to be missing parts because of unshielded equipment. i knew several.
Gary
I hope the price for this is similar to the Wave. This may be my Christmas gift to myself.
Stuart
As mentioned in the post, I expect it to be more expensive; I don’t see how the price could be the same.
Tim D.
If they price it under $180, I’ll be shocked and I feel like they’ll sell really well. My guesstimate is $180-200, which is a bit steep, and puts people close to the “might as well get the arc” territory.
Don
I’ll wait and decide when the price comes out in October. At $120 I might. But I really like my Arc and most likely wont.
Leo
Man, I was hoping they’d eventually update the drivers. The eyeglasses driver is too small for most small screws and the flattened Phillips is begging to strip screws while also too fat to go into recessed screws
William
Looks pretty decent, I already have the Arc, Charge, wave, supercool and many more leatherman tools, but I really think their more premium models should come with removable files, I’m always reluctant to use the diamond file, just concerned about wearing it out.
David VandeBerg
Wish I could get the original Leatherman (that locks open) at a decent price. I work maintenance and don’t have a need for all the gadgets.
Joe Wilson
In a 1980s there weren’t many different brand names super tools on the market I bought a leatherman super tool then and I’m done with leatherman I’ll never have another one because my lifetime warranty is not a lifetime warranty any longer thanks. If I another one I will buy an SOG or something else …
Forever guarantees don’t seem to be forever.
Jeremiah K.
Honestly I just wish their wave + would actually have a better wire crimper added into the needle nose behind the wire cutter. Make the whole thing just a bit longer to incorporate that. Cause the one behind the pivot point is absolutely useless. If they actuallày did this I wouldn’t have to carry another crimper on a daily basis, I could just use that. Or maybe create a version that would incorporate the wire strippers as well into the handle. Cause I carry this and a snap-on/carylson version wire stripper everyday. Other wise it seems like it’s the same tool as b4 (just black)
JoeM
That is no longer a Wave. It’s a Small-Surge. I mean all of that in the best ways. Those textured handles are pulled straight out of the Charge family, I recognize the pattern from the TTi. In fact, it might be Carbon Fiber Scales, shaped from the moulds for the ARC’s scales. Yes, they added their new favourite material, MagnaCut for the main blade. And, yes, I agree with Stuart that it appears to be a reverse-tanto shape. I really only see that as a benefit for replacing package openers and any kind of sharper implements that the Surge/Wave/Charge family always had in some form or another. All of this, we can see obviously, but from the locking mechanism, to the swap to scissors, this is a version of the Surge now. It may be named the Wave Alpha, but that is a step closer to the Surge, with all the Surge’s benefits in a slightly more palm-sized format.
I notice though, that the Lanyard Ring is now a lockable, deployable tool? I do understand, from owning the Wave mark II, and then the Wave+, and of course the Surge, that the slide-out Lanyard Loop was always a little difficult to use, but it didn’t take up a whole tool slot. Plus there’s still the accessory kits that attach/detach a lanyard ring and/or pocket clip for both tools. This makes me wonder if they’re trying to get rid of that accessory kit as well. This would be a shame. Easily detached holders are good in an emergency. I would, personally, have preferred they swapped back in some version of the Philips Driver, since it is compatible with an older bit adapter for full hex bits. Or, and this is likely more useful, an actual Package Opener, like the one that was once on either the Sidekick or its sibling. Something similar to a seatbelt cutter, but smaller, to open clamshell plastic containers. This is still not a complaint, as this is still falling into the classic full-featured design set that Leatherman does best.
The one thing missing to really call this a Surge, and not necessarily a Wave, is the Blade Exchanger. Surge is the only tool they’ve ever made with this little device, and it allows your tool to use T-Shank Jigsaw Blades. They included the Rasp/File and Saw in this format for the Surge (now mounted on this Alpha as separate fold-out blades. Definitely a Wave feature!) and the Blade Exchanger did a great job of swapping the two. It even allowed you to slip a spare metal-cutting blade into the kit you carry, so the Surge could cut through thin metals or bolts if needed. That would be nice on the series of tools in this family, to include a way to use more blades at a lower cost to space.
None of this is a critique of the Alpha here. I hope they keep this model, in this colour, for many years, and keep it in the lineup with its older brothers, the Wave+ and the Surge. Can’t particularly say I’ll miss the Charge family, but maybe MagnaCut will bring them, and perhaps the Crunch, back into the lineup one day? I know I like the new-ish design of the Micra, with the attached tweezers. I don’t remember the original Micra having that, and that improvement would actually sell me on that little wonder. Just… Not in the vibrant seasonal fashion show colours they like to put out these days.
The truly innovative tools seem to be getting discontinued, and they are replaced with new colours for tools that don’t need to be fashionable, they need to work. Either that, or they’re in the family of one of the other lines, but they’re only one half of the original. The Core, I believe, is Half a Wave. Two outside blades, instead of 4. There have been a lot of these tools recently. Just recolours, or Reduced-Tool-Number for 90% the price of the full tools. I’m not fond of these half-measures, but I am very glad to see the Wave actually benefit from an upgrade, instead of a makeover or downgrade.
Morgan
I have been a fanboy for years, but prices and competition has now moved me elsewhere now.
If prices come down I might return.
Rlf
I not going to lie it doesn’t make want to buy it. Leatherman keeps going this route. But the good news is other companies are learning from leathermans arrogance. The Charge was a good line of multi tools. But you know a company is desperate when they start turning their tools into fashion statements.
Paul
The blade on every Leatherman I’ve ever owned has broken. I think I’ve broken 3 now. Never again.
Brad J
The Wave has been my EDC for over 10 years. I would much rather have the serrated blade than the saw blade. Also I prefer all stainless. I like the addition of the awl.